Issuing a handshake instead of citation; SPD launches car repair voucher program

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — The Springfield Police Department said being pulled over for a broken taillight or headlight could now end in a handshake instead of a ticket.

Springfield police will now offer car repair vouchers to motorists who are pulled over for traffic violations such as broken headlights.

The Springfield Police Chief, Joseph Behl, told me the goal is to continue to build relationships with the community and increase public safety.

“We may be taking groceries out of the refrigerator or off the countertops,” Behl said. “We can give this voucher out and they’re able to enhance public safety, by getting their vehicle fixed and also have non -law enforcement positive encounters.”

Behl said introducing this program to Springfield is supported statewide.

“The voucher program was a continued conversation between state legislators,” Behl said. “Senator Doris Turner, city leaders and the ACLU.”

Officially known as, “Lights On,” SPD was given a $50,000 grant to start this program. Behl said Springfield officers get to make the decision on what motorist receives a voucher.

“Just like any interaction we have with our community members, we have discretion we could use,” Behl said. “Whether we issue a verbal warning, a voucher or citations.”

The vouchers have serial numbers, so SPD will be able to tell if they are repeatedly pulling over the same person.

“All that is tracked by the Lights On’s program administrator,” Behl said. “They’ll track all the vouchers, the ones that are open, the ones that are closed and give us regular updates on our funding balance.”

SPD is partnering with four Springfield auto shops, one being Floyd’s Imports. Floyd Import’s co-owner, Andrew Floyd, told me he sees broken car lights on a daily basis, so this will be an opportunity to offset any financial burdens.

“But nowadays, headlights can be very expensive,” Floyd said. Some of them, we just did one this morning that was almost $200. Just for the bulb itself.”

SPD will also be partnering with 1 Stop Auto Shop, Vern’s Auto Repair, and Midas Stevenson.

Midas Stevenson’s Service Manager, Aaron White, told me the Springfield Police Department approached their shop about this voucher program in January.

White said SPD came into their shop to introduce the program and asked if they would be willing to join.

He immediately contacted his district manager and vice president, who agreed this would be a great way to serve the community.

White said this is a great opportunity to lend a helping hand to those in need.

“It really could help shed some light on a positive impact from police as well as kind of easing the burden on somebody,” White said. “Where they don’t have to take time off of work when they’re already struggling to go to court or anything like that. This is something where they bring it to us, we get them in, we expedite same day services as much as possible, and we get them back out and running.”

Without the voucher, White said replacing a headlight bulb could cost a little under $100. Adding ticket costs and court fees could double that amount.

Floyd said SPD should consider other alternatives with handing out the vouchers beyond pulling residents over.

“Springfield Police Department [should] have some time where they could have people come by a lot or something, show them, ‘Hey I have a headlight out, I can’t afford it,’” Floyd said.

SPD said there is no limit on how many vouchers officers are able to hand out. They said once the funding runs out, they’ll assess the program and see how they can continue to fund it.

Officials with the Springfield American Civil Liberties Union said motorists should not intentionally try to be stopped by SPD.